Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification

The Level 2 Adult Social Care qualification is an accredited qualification designed to provide a baseline standard to care, reduce the need for repeat training and give recognition to our care workforce for the professional career that it is. 

In 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) commissioned Skills for Care to develop a specification based upon the existing Care Certificate standards for a new, accredited and portable qualification, the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification.

The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification is an Ofqual regulated qualification, requiring observational assessment and is expected to take a new learner around 6-8 months to complete. An experienced care worker may complete this in a shorter period of time. The qualification is available now to eligible non-regulated care staff, 19+ years.

Benefits of enrolling staff onto the qualification

Currently 54% of direct care workers do not have a level 2 or above qualification. The introduction of the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification will provide people in care roles the most up to date knowledge and baseline skills required to support people well and succeed in their roles.

For those who have been in the sector for several years and deserve acknowledgement for the skilled care they provide, the qualification will also provide a route for them to gain a recognised qualification. Investing in training and support for staff will act as an incentive for staff recruitment, retention and development within the workforce.

The qualification webpage will be continually updated with information about the awarding organisations approved to deliver the qualification.

Funding

The Learning and Development Support Scheme will have a digital online claims service that allows adult social care employers to claim funding for certain training courses and qualifications on behalf of eligible care staff. Funding will be available for eligible courses and qualifications that have been both paid for and started between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive).

The Learning and Development Support Scheme approved course list includes the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate Qualification. Eligible employers can claim funding for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate on behalf of eligible care staff for up to £1500 per qualification.

This funding is more limited than the previous scheme with no dedicated funding specifically for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate.

See government information on funding guidance and how to claim.

Awarding organisations developing the qualification

Several awarding organisations have now developed and had their qualification approved by Skills for Care.

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